Skip to main content
Participant
October 25, 2022
Question

Illustrator 27 inverting colors when saving pdf

  • October 25, 2022
  • 2 replies
  • 1112 views

Hi!

 

I have a document that's getting some colors inverted when I save to pdf using the preset provided by our printer. We've saved this document the same way many times in the past using the same preset with no issues, so I assume it's something to do with the latest illustrator update.
So the preset I'm supposed to use has the color conversion set to "convert to destination (perserve numbers)" with the destination as "US Web Coated (SWOP) 2".
If I change it to no color conversion the colors are fine.

 

Things I've tried: There was a document that was placed on the artboard that had a spot color in it, I deleted that and deleted the spot color swatch. I restarted illustrator, then restarted my computer. I tried having a colleague save the file. I copied all of the artwork and pasted it onto a new artboard. I tried just recreating some of the elements without using the eye dropper.

 

I've attached some pictures to show what I mean. It's only on some text and shape objects, and it's only effecting the second page/back of the document.

 

 

2 replies

Participant
June 12, 2025

I just started having the same problem - lime green turns into purple. White text turns into black. See example of Screenshots of Illustrator vs. acrobat

Illustrator 29.3.1
Acrobat - 2025.001.20529

Mac OS Sequoia 15.3.2

Apple M1 Max Pro 64 GB ram

Anubhav M
Community Manager
Community Manager
June 12, 2025

Hello @Kevin Perera,

Could you share a few more details, like if Illustrator behaves this way with all files, if the images are linked/embedded, screenshots of the color settings used, and a link to a sample file with linked assets after uploading it to a file-sharing service, so I can check it on my end?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Anubhav

Participant
August 19, 2025

Hi, I am having the same problem. Did it get resolved? If so, what is the reason behind it?

Thanks!

Anshul_Saini
Community Manager
Community Manager
October 28, 2022

Hi @echoweave,

 

We are sorry for the trouble. I assume you are using Illustrator 2023 v27.0, as it is the latest version. Would you mind sharing a few details so we can further investigate the issue:

  • Are you using link images or files in the file?
  • Screenshot of your color settings. (Edit > Color settings)
  • Would you mind sharing a sample file with us here or via DM with me? It would be really helpful for us.

 

I will be looking forward to your response.

 

Thanks & Regards,

Anshul Saini